Old sewer plant to be razed

Tuesday

Dec 18, 2012 at 8:24 PMDec 18, 2012 at 8:28 PM

Hannibal City Council approves demolition of buildings on sewage treatment plant

DANNY HENLEYdanny.henley@courierpost.com

As the Hannibal Board of Public Works takes steps to extend the life of its wastewater treatment plant, the city is about to do away with the current facility’s predecessor. On Tuesday night the City Council approved a recommendation that would see most, if not all, of the former plant’s buildings taken down.Located on an 8.1 acre plat of city-owned land near where Bear Creek meets the Mississippi River, the old plant has been a city concern for years.“Vandals and others get into these buildings, creating ongoing safety hazards,” wrote City Manager Jeff LaGarce in a memo to the Council, noting that earlier this fall two children became “stuck” for a time in one of the buildings before being safely removed.The site features three structures. At least two would be removed.“There is one large, round building that may remain, but is inaccessible for persons to enter, and is full of sand,” wrote LaGarce, adding that if possible he would like to see the circular building removed as well.The initial thought at city hall is that the demo work could be accomplished by Street Department personnel.“This would be an excellent cold-weather project, and aside from asbestos testing and possible abatement, we shouldn’t have any out-of-pocket cost associated with it,” explained LaGarce, noting the site is not in the city’s historic district.While willing to have the Street Department perform the work, LaGarce is open to the idea of allowing a private contractor do the job provided its compensation was solely salvage rights of the stone structures.“We’d prefer a private entity complete this work for the salvage value, but are perfectly willing to do so ourselves, if private interests are lacking,” wrote the city manager. In other business:• An audit of the city was presented by a Wade Stables representative. It was reported that General Fund revenue outdistanced expenditures by $438,601.• Approval was given to making a bond payment not to exceed $123,080 on Friday, Dec. 28.• The Council pre-approved a $55,450 claim of Roberts Demolition and Roll-off to be paid before the end of December, but after the residential flood buyout work is completed. By state policy, the project must be done by Dec. 31.• The fifth and final change order from the Paris Gravel Road construction project was approved. The $10,965 revision is for quantities actually installed by Chester Bross Construction. According to City Engineer Mark Rees, the $700,000 project wound up “very close to what was budgeted.”• A $10,000 contract was approved with Poepping, Stone, Bach & Associates, Inc., to complete the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System application and develop a new storm water management plan.• A bid of $877.78 from Chuck Anderson was accepted for sale of a 1990 Dodge pickup by the Street Department. His was the highest of five bids.• A bill authorizing a municipal election on April 2, 2013, was given second and final reading. Up for election will be the job of mayor along with Council seats in the second, fourth and sixth wards.• Final reading was given a bill adopting three documents pertaining to the Police & Fire Retirement Plan. The documents were included in a favorable determination letter from the IRS.• The following appointments were approved: Doug Warren to the Historic Development District Commission for a term to expire in May 2017; Hal Benedict to the Hannibal Industrial Development Authority for a term to expire in January 2018.• First reading was given a bill setting the amount of pay for a special Municipal Court judge.